A range of methods are used to monitor and evaluate learning through the year. The formal assessments should give a good indication of likely performance in the final course assessment and generate robust evidence for exceptional circumstance. Formal assessments will be made up of a selection of key tasks and/or questions, covering the required areas of the course at an appropriate level of demand and carried out under exam conditions.
The evidence used to determine estimates does not need to cover the entire specified content of the course, but where more course content is covered in unseen contexts, or applying skills, knowledge and understanding in unfamiliar and complex scenarios, the greater weight will be placed on it. The structure and weightings of assessments will look different in different subjects due to the unique nature of each subject. This will result in variations between subjects when determining working grades and SQA estimates. Some subjects have an external marked practical element such as business and computing assignments.
Assessment opportunities should not be one-off, high-stakes scenarios. We make reasonable adjustments to our school day to accommodate our formal assessments. It is not possible to replicate the same assessment conditions as the SQA exams without causing significant disruption to the school day. Additionally, there would be significant concerns for the health and wellbeing of our pupils if made to sit one-off high-risk assessments which replicate the timings of SQA exams.
Learners who miss an assessment due to exceptional circumstances will be provided with 1 further opportunity to sit the assessment in class time.
Optional Formal Assessment Period 1: 28 September to Wednesday 7 October
This optional calendared assessment helps provide information on a learner’s strengths and next steps in learning for S4 and S5/6 full report. Not all subjects will opt into this early phase of assessment as evidence can be generated during class assessments or practical work.
Monday 28 September: Column A (P1/P2)
Tuesday 29 September: English Tuesday (P3/P4)
Wednesday 30 September: Column D (P1/2)
Thursday 1 October: Column B (P1/P2)
Monday 5 October: Maths (P4/P5) 4Y: English P4/P5
Tuesday 6 October: Column C (P6/P7)
Wednesday 7 October: Column E (P6/P7)
Formal Assessment Period 2 National 5: Monday 7 December to Wednesday 16 December
All formal assessment will take place in class time apart from English and Maths. Most Learners will have 1 assessment per subject. The opportunity to do a 2nd smaller assessment is available for those subjects where this is considered necessary. Normal time assessments have 2×50 periods allocated. Assessment Arrangements can extend into the next period or the end of the day.
Learning will continue for N3/4 learners. Learning can be flexible for N5 learners with the opportunity for supported study. Learners who miss an assessment due to exceptional circumstances will be provided with 1 further opportunity to sit the assessment in class time.
Assembly Hall
Monday 7 December: Maths (P4/5) (4Y: English P4/P5)
Tuesday 8 December: English Tuesday (P3/P4)
Classrooms
Monday 7 December: Column A (2nd Assessment) (P1/2)
Tuesday 8 December: Column C (2nd Assessment) (P6/7)
Wednesday 9 December: Column D (1st Assessment) (P1/2)
Thursday 10 December: Column B (1st Assessment) (P1/P2)
Friday 11 December: Column E (1st assessment) (P1/2)
Monday 14 December: Column A (1st Assessment) (P1/2)
Monday 14 December: Column D: (2nd Assessment) (6/7)
Tuesday 15 December: Column B (2nd Assessment) (P1/P2)
Tuesday 15 December: Column C (1st Assessment) (P6/7)
Wednesday 16 December: Column E (2nd assessment) (P6/7)
Formal Assessment Period 2 Higher and Advance Higher (S5/6 English/Maths/Apps Maths): Monday 11 January to Friday 22 January.
Learning can be flexible with the opportunity for supported study during week 1. Learning can continue as normal week 2 with consideration given to learners sitting Paper 1 on Tuesday and Wednesday P6/7.
Learners who miss an assessment due to exceptional circumstances will be provided with 1 further opportunity to sit the assessment in class time.
Week 1 – Monday 11 to Friday 15 January
Column D – Monday P6/7 with the option of extending into end of day (paper 1)
Column C – Tuesday P6/7 (paper 2)
Column B – Wednesday P4/5 with the option of extending into lunchtime (paper 1)
Column A – Thursday P3/4 with the option of extending into Period 5 (paper 1).
Column E – Friday P1/2 (paper 2)
Week 2 – Monday 18 Friday 22 January
Column D – Monday P6/7 (paper 2)
Column C – Tuesday P6/7 with the option of extending into end of day (paper 1)
Column B – Wednesday P4/5 (paper 2)
Column A – Thursday P3/4 (paper 2)
Column E – Friday P3/4 with the option of extending into lunchtime (paper 1)